That’s exactly what I thought when I started working as a freelance translator an interpreter. I thought that the market was so crowded that I had nothing to do out there.

Wrong!

Everything I was doing is to compare my business model with other translators out there.

I was focusing on the red ocean.

However, we need to swim out of it as soon as possible to reach the blue ocean.

And we need to do that by being different from the rest and by finding a gap within your industry that nobody out there has covered yet.

It sounds difficult, right? It took me quiet a while to get it right.

Start answering this question: what do/can I offer that no one out there does/can?

Brainstorm as much as you can and come back to this question every three months. I’m sure you’ll come up with new ideas and strategies as you develop your business and figure out the direction that you want it to take.

If you can’t invest in a E-commerce platform from the very beginning, try to sell your idea in other platforms such as Amazon or eBay before launching your own. This way you’ll be saving some money to invest and you’ll be testing your idea at the same time.

I know; every business is different. That’s why you need to think about your own strategy to test your idea.

4. Position your brand and product and work on your reputation online

You image online is essential. It’s the first thing your clients are going to see once they’ve found you.

In my case, it was the first thing that I invested in when I was starting up.

If you don’t know how to create a logo, hire a designer. If you don’t know how to write copy, hire a copywriter.

But if you’re not sure how to create the brand of your business, don’t do it on your own. This is something that I always work on within my coaching programmes.

You need to know the identity of your business and you need to know how to convey it to your clients.

I know that you need to save money when you’re starting up. But this isn’t the aspect that you should save money from.

Also, having an online business means commitment and being active online. Learn how to manage social networks. I know it’s a lot of work and I know it can be daunting some times.

When I created my Twitter account, I had to be very active for three months before people started noticing me online. But soon after these first three months, I got my first client on Twitter. And believe me, the numbers will exponentially increase over time.

5. Master the basic skills or outsource your weaknesses

When you start an online business, there are certain skills that you need to master if you want to make the most of your online efforts.

If you’re not willing to learn these skills, be sure to outsource them or you won’t be able to make your business grow.

What are these skills? These are some of the most important ones for me:

Your platform:

Copywriting: There’d be no businesses without words. Writing what your customers want to read is essential to connect with them.

DON’T try to do everything in your business

Otherwise, you’ll get fed of having your own business and you’ll give up.

DO listen to the opinion of your clients

They will point you in the right direction.

I normally send them a survey so they can anonymously tell me what needs to be improved.

They have already bought from you and they know what it feels like working with you, that’s why they are the ideal people to tell you what can be improved.

DON’T be a workaholic

Working more doesn’t mean working better.

Take some time off for yourself. That will help you to recover your energies and be more creative for your business.

Remember that being productive doesn’t mean working more hours, but getting things done in less time.

DO build a solid foundation to escalate quicker

Without a solid foundation, you won’t be able to make your business grow as much as you’d expect.

Having your own business requires commitment and hard work. But remember that you can also become one of these big fish that make money while they sleep. Are you taking the necessary steps to achieve it?

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About David Miralles Perez

My name is David Miralles and I am aware of how languages can influence professional environments. Honing communication between two cultures has become crucial in today’s globalized world. And that is what I do by means of my translation and interpreting services. Small and medium enterprises and individuals can now spread their messages through cultural and linguistic barriers and make a big impact on an international scale.

About Me

My name is David Miralles and I am aware of how languages can influence professional environments. Honing communication between two cultures has become crucial in today’s globalized world. And that is what I do by means of my translation and interpreting services. Small and medium enterprises and individuals can now spread their messages through cultural and linguistic barriers and make a big impact on an international scale.